Notebook

Jefferson hits boards to spark Nets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Richard Jefferson emerged from his offensive funk by concentrating on everything but his offense.

After being practically invisible in the first three games of the NBA Finals, the Nets' young forward had 18 points and 10 rebounds in New Jersey's 77-76 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 on Wednesday night.

"I came out and just focused in on rebounding," Jefferson said after the Nets evened the series. "I just said, 'I'm not going to worry about scoring.' ... My offense started coming, and I didn't pay attention to it."

Jefferson averaged just 9.7 points in the series before Game 4, shooting without the confidence that might be expected from someone who has played in an NCAA title game and two NBA Finals.

His slashing, driving game was shut down by defensive specialist Bruce Bowen and the Spurs' team defense. Jefferson was even benched in the second half of Game 3 because of his struggles.

SI.com On Site  Marty Burns: With their NBA title hopes on the line, the Nets pulled out all the stops Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Finals. • Click here for more  Analysis and Opinion  • Fast Breaks: Second-guessing Pop • Rushin: San Antonio loves its Spurs • Picks: Burns | Hollinger | McCallum More Stories  • Game 4: Recap | Box Score • Admiral unhappy with Parker's shots • Kittles puts clamps on Parker • Mutombo giving Duncan problems • Nets win Game 4 with defense • Spurs again miss a 3 at the end • Notebook: Jefferson hits the boards   Instant Poll  Who should Gregg Popovich have played at point guard in the final minutes of Game 4? Speedy Claxton Steve Kerr Tony Parker View Results

Everything changed in Game 4. Jefferson, the Nets' youngest player, scored 10 points in the first half, running the floor well with Kenyon Martin.

"It feels good," Jefferson said. "I don't put too much pressure on myself. The last two games I've struggled, but we've won one of them. I don't think we're struggling because of me, but I realize that in order for us to be successful and win a championship, I have to play well."

Payback dunks

New Jersey blocked a playoff-high 13 shots, including four by Aaron Williams and three by Mutombo.

"This was very important after all the trash talking," Mutombo said. "All I heard for three days was (about) Mutombo getting dunked. I was looking for them to come in the paint and try and dunk again. I really didn't appreciate what they were saying about me."

In the third quarter, Richard Jefferson also had two ferocious dunks that he said were all about payback.

"Malik Rose talked a lot about (the dunk)," Jefferson said. "We're usually a humble team, but if you want to talk about dunks, we have a few guys who can get dunks."

Brick city

New Jersey's starting guards went 7-for-28 from the field, while San Antonio's tandem went 2-for-21. Emanuel Ginobili, the Spurs' key backup guard, went 3-for-10 and missed the potential game-tying 3-pointer, while Nets backup shooting guard Lucious Harris went 0-for-4.

Despite late-night shooting practices with his wife, Jason Kidd is shooting 33 percent (26-for-78) in the finals. Stephen Jackson, the Spurs' starting shooting guard, is shooting 34 percent (14-for-41).

Showtime connection

Before every playoff series, Scott has a conversation with Pat Riley, the coach who guided Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Scott and the rest of the Lakers to their titles in the 1980s.

Riley has struggled for several years while coaching the Miami Heat, but he still commands Scott's respect -- even if Scott's New Jersey Nets are enjoying far more success than Riley's teams.

"I talked to Riles before the series started, but I haven't talked to him since then, and probably won't," Scott said. "The way this series is going and how many days you've got in between games, you're trying to prepare your team to get ready for the next game.

"I probably just don't have the time right now, (but) I always talk to Riles before every series."

Continental Airlines Arena had plenty of Showtime flavor: Abdul-Jabbar attended Game 4 on Wednesday night, sitting next to fellow greats Bill Russell and Bill Bradley.

Scott has been criticized for relying too heavily on his assistant coaches, but he says he patterns his style after several coaches he has known. Scott's laissez-faire game-management strategy resembles Sacramento coach Rick Adelman, his boss for two years as a Kings assistant before joining the Nets for the 2000-01 season.

But Scott saves his consultations for Riley.

"I talked to him about three or four days before this series, and we didn't talk specifically about game plans," Scott said. "We just talked about San Antonio."

Loose balls